Taking the Low-Carb Test

The All About Beer Magazine staff conducted blind tastings of 11 low-carb beers on the market. The tasters found striking differences between the samples. Although one taster confessed “All of these beers are just so thin, I can’t see myself drinking any,” three stood out for their balance and drinkability: interestingly, they were the three importer German beers: Rhinebecker Extra, Diät Pils, and Bitburger Light.

Golden straw color. .Lambic/gueuze rubbery-tire smell. Good head retention. German flavor in the hops (Hallertauer); great balance, hoppy and sweet. “I could drink this one!” Taste lingers on tongue, more body, not as fizzy, more flavor, nice finish.

Butterscotch/tea color. Vanilla, cider, banana, butterscotch aroma: “candy jar, like at my old grandma’s house.” Tastes like butterscotch, vanilla, not bitter and not malty, low carbonation, body is thin but there is something there, this one is drinkable if you like vanilla. Different than the rest.

Sleeman Clear, Sleeman Breweries, Canada

Clear yellow-straw color (greenish tint). Faint apple, rubber/fruit smell. Light, green apple taste, medium-low carbonation, very thin body, not hoppy, not malty. A little bit of fruit up front, but other than that, not much taste. adjunct flavor like domestics, no aftertaste.

Accel, F.X. Matt Brewing Co.

.Gold-green color, no smell, sharper taste, fruit on front of tongue, no after taste.